Wheel attachment for detachable tractor-mounted implements



APrll 1953 c. w. WALZ ETAL 2,635,521

WHEEL ATTACHMENT FOR DETACHABLE TRACTOR-MOUNTED IMPLEMENTS OriginalFiled Nov. 15, 1944 CLAUDE WALZ ROBERT D. GRIFF Patented Apr. 21, 1953WHEEL ATTACHMENT FOR DETACHABLE TRACTOR-MOUNTED IMPLEMENTS Claude W.Walz and Robert D. Griff, Rock Island, Ill., assignors to Deere &Company, Moline, 111., a corporation of Illinois Original applicationNovember 15, 1944, Serial No. 563,543. Divided and this applicationAugust 7, 1950, Serial No. 178,016

Claims. 1

This application is a division of our co-pending application, Serial No.563,543, filed November 15, 1944, now U. S. Patent 2,533,542, issuedDecember 12, 1950.

The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements andmore particularly to tractor mounted implements of the integral type.

The object and general nature of the present invention is the provisionof a tractor mounted implement particularly constructed and arranged forquick attachment to and detachment from the tractor. More particularly,it is a feature of the present invention to provide means forfacilitating the movement of a fairly long transversely arrangedimplement toward and away from its connected position with the tractorby transverse movement relative to the tractor. More particularly,according to the principles of the present invention, a special mountingfor the gauge wheels is utilized for readily changing the gauge wheelsinto a position accommodating the lateral movement of the implement intoand out of position with respect to the tractor, particularly underneaththe central portion of the tractor. Specifically, it is a feature ofthis invention to provide a new and improved gauge wheel mounting whichby merely removing a quick detachable pin and shifting the gauge wheel'yoke into a different position on the standard to which the gauge wheelis connected, the implement may, after being detached from the tractor,be readily shifted laterally away from the tractor to complete thedisconnection of the implement therefrom. Also, with the gauge wheels inthe latter mentioned position, it is a relatively simple matter to rollthe implement transversely of the tractor into a position underneath thesame, ready for attachment to the sides of the tractor, and then byturning the gauge wheels and the gauge wheel yokes into their operatingposition and reconnecting the yokes to the implement frame in their newposition, the implement is readily made ready for normal operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which the preferred form of the invention hasbeen illustrated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a tractor mounted implement in which theprinciples of the present invention have been incorporated.

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective, showing the details of the gaugewheel connecting means, the parts being arranged in the positions theyoccupy in the normal or operating position of the gauge wheels.

Figure 3 is a view, taken generally along the line 3-3 of Figure 1,showing the gauge wheels in their transverse position, accommodating thesupport and movement of the implement transversely of the tractor intoand out of its attaching position.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 ofFigure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail view, taken generally along the line 5-5 of Figure1.

The tractor to which the implement is attached is indicated in itsentirety by the reference numeral 1 and comprises a frame 2 carried onfront and rear wheels 3 and 3a, the rear wheels deriving propellingpower from the motor- 4 of the tractor. The tractor frame 2 includesside bars 6 to which attaching plates 3| are fixed, each attaching plate31 having a forwardly facing notch 36, which will be referred to below.The tractor I includes power lift mechanism H], which may be similar tothe power lift shown in the United States patent issued February 8,1938, to

McCormick et al., No. 2,107,760, and which includes one or more powerlift arms I l actuated by power derived from the tractor motor 4 forrocking movement about the axis of the power lift rockshaft. 12, thearms II properly being fixed to the power lift rockshaft l2 andmovabletherewith through a given range from raised to lowered position.

The implement which is constructed according to the principles of thepresent invention is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral20 and comprises a frame 2! including upper and lower transverse bars22. and 23 connected together by frame plates'24 to which the bars 22and 23 may be welded or otherwise fixed. The bars 22 and 23 form meansto which one or more ground working tools (not shown) may be fixed. Theplates 24 are apertured to receive the forward ends of pairs of upperand lower links 25 and 2'1, the rear ends of which are pivotallyconnected to arms 28. By virtue of this construction the implement frame26 is capable of free floating movement with respect to the arms 28 andthe links 26 and 2'1 are generally parallel, whereby the operatingposition of the tools is not changed when the frame 2i moves upwardly ordownwardly with respect to the tractor to which it is attached by thevertically swingable links. The arms 28 are adapted to be connected tothe 3 tractor by a quick detachable connection which includes a pair ofimplementreceiving plates 3| secured to and normally forming a more orless prominent part of the tractor and an attaching member 33 which maytake any suitable form but preferably consists of a pipe member 34 and apair of plates 35 secured to the ends of the pipe member 34. The upperlinks 26 each have their inner ends bent so as to extend into the pipemember 34 which thereby serves as a pivot for the links 26. The tractorplates 3| are provided with tapered slots 36 which are adapted toreceive the pipe member 34 of the attaching member 33, and each of theplates 35 is formed with a slot 38 which flares outwardly and facesrearwardly to receive a stud that is formed on the associated tractorplate 3|. A wing nut 39 or other suitable means is provided for eachstud to secure the plates 35 of the attaching member 33 in place whenthe implement is in a position to be connected to the tractor, as willbe described in more detail below.

The implement 20 is provided with a pair of gauge wheel units 4%], oneat each end of the implement, and since these gauge wheel units 40 arealike, only one is shown in detail. Each gauge wheel unit 40 includes agauge wheel 4| mounted on suitable hearings in a wheel carrier means,preferably in the form of a yoke 30 comprising a pair of gauge wheelyoke arms 42. These arms have their rear ends bent inwardly and securedtogether, as by welding, through a pair of spaced apart blocks 43 and44, the rear end sections 45 of the yoke arms being welded to the blockswhich space them apart a distance to form a slot receiving the lower endof an attaching means. in the form of a shank 41. The shank 41 issimilar to shanks which commonly are provided for securlng tools and thelike to the frame bars 22 and 23, each shank being secured to the bars22 and 23 by means of a clip comprising a U-shaped member having ends 52adapted to hook over the rear edges of the bars 22 and 23 and anintermediate portion, slotted at 54, to receive the standard 41 andtapped to receive a set screw 55 which, when tightened, serves to clampthe standard 41 in the clip 5| and to fixedly secure the latter to theimplement frame bars 22 and 23.

The normal operating position for the gauge wheels 40 is shown in Figure1, where the tool has attached to the tractor by shifting the implementlaterally, transversely of the tractor, into and out of a positionunderneath the tractor. To facilitate this attaching and detaching, wehave provided an arrangement for attaching the gauge wheel units to theimplement so as to accommodate readily changing the gauge wheel units 40from a forward rolling position to a transverse rolling position. Tothis end, we form the rear portion of the gauge wheel yoke 30 in aparticular way. Mention above was made to a slot, indicated in Figure 2by the reference numeral 60, for receiving the lower end of theattaching standard when the associated gauge wheel is to be fixed to theimplement in a forward rolling position. This slot 69 extends throughthe rear, portion of the gauge wheel yoke 30 and is disposedsubstantially in the plane of the associated wheel 4|. A second slot ornotch 6| is formed in the rear portion of the gauge wheel yoke 30 and isdisposed in a plane normal to the plane of the. slot 4 60. The lower endof the tool shank 41 receiving the gauge wheel yoke is formed with adownwardly extending lug 63 the width of which, in the plane of thestandard 41, is substantially the same as the lateral dimension of theslot 60; in other words, the slot 60 is substantially the same area incross section as the cross section of the standard 41, as shown inFigure 2, and extends all the way through the gauge wheel yoke 30. Theother slot 6| is of similar configuration, being in the nature of anotch cut lengthwise into the intermediate portion of the gauge wheelyoke 30 and having a width equal to the thickness of the standard 41.

Astop arm 12 is fixed to the lower end of each of the arms 28 and spacedbelow the link 21 a distance suflicient to accommodate all floatingaction of the implement during normal use, but when the power lift H] isactuated to rock the arm rearwardly to raise the implement, theresulting swinging of the arms 28 about the transverse axis defined bythe inner ends of the links 26, and the pipe member 34 receiving them,causes the stops 12 to come up against the lower edges of the associatedlinks 21 and so raise the implement into a transport position.

Figure 2 illustrates the position of the parts when the implement is inits normal operating position, as does also Figure 1. In this positionit will be seen that the lower end of the standard 41 is disposed in theslot 60 and that a quick detachable pin 65 is inserted in the transverseslot GI and through an opening 66 formed in the lower endof the standard41. As best shown in Figure 3, the quick detachable pin 65 is providedwith a handle section 61 and is readily inserted and removed. The pin 65is provided with a ball detent 68 which serves to prevent theinadvertent or accidental displacement of the pin 65.

Whenit is desired to remove the implement 2| from the tractor theoperator actuates the power lift ||l toraise the implement frame 2|together with the tools that are fixed thereto, into its raisedposition. Next, each of the gauge wheel units is disconnected from itsstandard by pulling out the associated pin 65, and then each gauge wheelunit is reconnected to the lower end of the associated standard 41 in aposition with the wheels 4| in a transverse vertical plane. This is doneby reconnecting each gauge wheel yoke 30 by swinging the yoke 30 aroundinto a vertical position so that the lower end of the standard 41 entersthe slot 6|, with the. lug 63 extending just below the bottom of theslot 6|. and so interlocked between the sides of the yoke pieces 42.This prevents the yokes 30 from tipping sideways. Then the pin 65 isinserted through the slot and reinserted in the opening 66 in thestandard 41. This securely holds each gauge wheel unit 40 in its newposition in which the gauge wheels 4| are in a position to rolltransversely of the tractor. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the implementframe occupiesa higher position relative to the wheels 4| than. thenormally operating position shown in Figural. This aids in holding thetools out of contact with the ground when attaching or removing theimplement.

After the gauge wheels 4| have been moved or changed into a transverseposition, as shown in Figure 3, the link 1 I connecting the arm 28 withthe power lift arm H is disconnected, and then the wing nuts (on studs39) holding the plates 35 to the tractor attaching plates 3| areremoved. The tractor is then backed a distance sufficient to disengagethe attaching'membe'r as from the studs on the ''plates 3| and the slots36. The 1 supporting the major portion of the weight of the implementand facilitating its movement out from underneath the tractor laterallyof the latter.

While we have shown and described above the preferred structure in whichthe principles of the present invention have been incorporated, it is tobe understood that our invention is not to be limited to the particulardetails shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely differentmeans may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of ourinvention.

What we claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters'Patent is:

1. In anagricultural implement of the' type adapted to be connected to afarm tractor on the underside thereof and adapted to be shiftedlaterally into and out of attaching position from the side of "thetractor, the combination therewith of ground wheel means, and means forattaching said ground wheel means to said implement in two optionalpositions thereof, said attaching means comprising a part on saidimplement and two part-receiving sections on said ground wheel means,said sections being disposed, respectively, in planes lying atsubstantially 90 with respect to each other and so spaced relative toone another as to dispose said ground wheel means in one or the other oftwo positions; one in which the plane of said ground wheel means extendsgenerally forwardly and the other in which the plane of said groundwheel means extends generally transversely relative to the direction oftravel.

2. In a tractor mounted agricultural implement having ground workingtools and adapted to be connected to the tractor in a transverseposition generally underneath the tractor and extending laterally withrespect thereto, detachable means for detachably connecting theimplement with the tractor, a pair of ground engaging gauge wheels,wheel carrier means receiving each of said wheels, and wheel attachingmeans for connecting. said gauge wheels to the end-s of saidimplement-with each of said wheels disposed option-ally in twopositions, one lying in a vertical forwardly extending plane and theother in a vertical transversely extending plane, one of said wheelattaching means and wheel carrier means including two part-receivingsections arranged in planes lying at 90 with respect to one another "andthe other of said wheel attaching means and wheel carrier meansincluding a part received by said sections optionally, and means forfixing said part to either of said sections.

3. An agricultural implement adapted to be attached to a tractorgenerally underneath the latter and in a transverse position, andbetween the front and rear whels of the tractor, said implementcomprising tool-supporting frame means, a gauge wheel receiving memberat each end of the frame, a pair of gauge wheels, a yoke for each gaugewheel, each of said yokes having a pair of slots therein positioned toreceive the associated gauge wheel receiving member, one slot extendingin a direction and lying in a plane both of which are normal to theplane of said yoke, whereby when said supporting member is in place insaid one slot the associated gauge wheel is mounted in a forward rollingdirection 6 and the other slot extending generally longitudinally of andlying generally in the plane of said yoke, whereby when the gauge wheelreceiving member is inserted in said other slot, said gauge wheel isarranged to roll in a transverse direction, thereby facilitatingbringing the implement into position under the tractor 'or removing theimplement therefrom, and means for holding each of said gauge wheelyokes in either of their positions relative to said implement framemeans.

4. A gauge wheel construction for use with an implement adapted to beconnected with a tractor or other propelling means and to be shifted bya transverse movement into and out of aposition facilitating theconnection of the implement of the tractor, said gauge wheelconstructioncomprising a gauge wheel receiving .yoke having an attaching section,said section having a first slot extending in a plane parallel to theplane of the gauge wheel, and a second slot formed in said attachingsection, said second slot being disposed in a plane perpendicular tosaid first plane, one of said slots extending into the yoke from oneside and the other slot extending into the yoke from one end thereof,and means adapted to be carried by the implement in a fixed positionthereon and to receive said attaching section in either of two positionsby mounting the attaching section on said fixed means with the latterreceiving one or the other of said slots.

5. A mounting for gauge wheels and the like comprising means serving asa gauge wheel supporting shank, a wheel-receiving yoke includin anattaching section, said section having a pair of slots therein disposedrespectively in planes arranged at an angle to one another and extendinginto said attaching section from different directions, each of saidslots receiving said shank whereby said wheel-receiving yoke may beattached to said shank in either of two positions.

6. The invention set forth in claim 5, further characterized by meansfor attaching said yoke to said shank in either of said two positions,said means comprising a part received by said shank and passing throughone of said slots when the shank is disposed in the other slot in oneposition, and through the other slot when said one slot receives theshank in the other position of said yoke.

7. An agricultural implement adapted to be attached to a tractorgenerally underneath the latter and in a transverse position, andbetween the front and rear wheels of the tractor, said implementcomprising tool-supporting frame means, a gauge wheel receiving memberat each end of the frame, a pair of gauge wheels, a yoke for each gaugewheel, each of said yokes having a pair of spaced apart means to receivethe associated gauge wheel receiving member, one of said spaced apartmeans being arranged to dispose the associated gauge Wheel in a positionfor rolling in a forward direction and the other of said spaced apartmeans being arranged to dispose the gauge wheel in a position to roll ina transverse direction, thereby facilitating bringing the implement intoposition under the tractor or removing the implement therefrom, andmeans engageable with each of said wheel receiving members andcooperating with either of the associated spaced apart means for holdingeach of said gauge wheel yokes in position relative to said implementframe means when the yoke is connected with the associated wheelreceiving. member through the other of the associated spaced apartmeans.

8. In an agricultural implement of the type adapted to be connected to afarm tractor on the underside thereof and adapted to be shiftedlaterally into and out of place from the side of the tractor, thecombination of ground wheel means, means for attaching said ground wheelmeans to said implement in two optional positions thereof, one in whichthe plane of said ground wheel means extends generally forwardly wherebythe ground wheel means may rotate in the direction of forward travel,and the other in which the plane of said ground wheel means extendsgenerally transversely, thereby serving to support'the implement formovement into and out of place relative to said tractorand in alateraldirection with respect thereto, said attaching means comprising awheel-receiving part and a frame part and means for fixing one of saidparts tothe other part, one of said parts having spaced part-receivingsections disposed in such angular relation, one with respect to theother,

that when the other part is fixed to one of said sections said groundwheel means is disposed in one of its optional positions and when saidother part is fixed to the other of said part-receiving sections saidground wheel means is disposed in the other of its two optionalpositions, and means on said other part and engageable with a portion ofsaid one of said spaced part-receiving sections, whereby thewheel-receiving part is held against displacement relative to said framepart when 8 the wheel-receiving part is disposed inthe other of saidspaced part-receiving sections. 7

9. A mounting for gauge wheels and the like comprising means serving asa gauge wheel supporting shank normally extending vertically andgenerally rectangular in section at its lower end, a wheel-receivingyoke including an attaching section, said section havig a pair of slotstherein disposed respectively in planes arranged at substantially 90relative to one another, each of said slots having openings shaped toreceive the lower end of said shank, and open ends facing diiferentdirections, whereby said wheel-receiving yoke may be attached to saidshank in either of two positions.

10. The invention defined in claim 9, further characterized by saidshank having an opening located so as to register with either of saidslots when said shank end is disposed in the other slot. and a holdingpin disposable in said opening and the slot registering therewith ineither position of the yoke relative to said shank.

CLAUDE W. WALZ. ROBERT D. GRIFF.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 589,193 Phinney Aug. 31, 1897 1,661,237 Shaw Mar. 6, 19282,107,760 McCormick et 'al. Feb. 8, 1938 2,127,579 Altgelt Aug. 23, 19382,239,332 Mee Aug. 22, 1941 2,546,461 Lewis Mar. 27, 1951

